It's not often that we – the workers – have the opportunity to address corporate executives directly. In fact, we weren't sure if they were even aware of the injustices that are taking place at the three Disney hotels in Anaheim. So, instead of allowing this doubt to linger in our minds, we made sure that the highest-ranking Disney executives know about this two-year long struggle that has overshadowed all the “magic” at Disneyland.

Since our contract expired more than two years ago, some 2,000 Disneyland hotel employees and I have been fighting to maintain affordable health benefits. One of the most frustrating parts is that in past contract negotiations, we’ve given up significant wages raises in order to maintain these affordable benefits. Now, we’re on the verge of losing them.

Because of this struggle, we decided to risk our own health to protect that of our co-workers and families and engage in a water-only fast. For seven days and nights, seven fasters and I refused food and slept in tents outside the Grand Californian Hotel.